When Sir András Schiff joins the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as pianist and conductor for four performances Nov. 2-5, he will lead a program that closes with concertos by Bach and Beethoven. Coincidentally, works by the same two composers are featured on his upcoming duet disc, recorded with violinist Yuuko Shiokawa and set for release Nov. 17 on ECM.

Produced by the legendary Manfred Eicher, the disc begins with Bach’s Sonata No. 3 in E Major and ends with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 10 in G Major. Between the two is Busoni’s Sonata No. 2 in E Minor. It’s an appropriate choice because arguably no other 20th century composer was as steeped in the music of Bach as Ferruccio Busoni. His second sonata, published in 1901, was influenced by both Bach and Beethoven; it references Beethoven’s late sonatas, and the final movement uses a variation on Bach’s chorale Wie wohl ist mir. As on their previous duo recording for ECM, Shiokawa and Schiff “play the music with absolute authority and deep understanding.”

At Orchestra Hall, Schiff’s concerts consist of Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G Major, Bartók’s Divertimento for String Orchestra, Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. For more information, click here.

TOP: Sir András Schiff by Nadia F. Romanini/ECM Records